Fantasy News & Analysis

Fantasy Football: Week 16 IDP Rankings & Tiers

2TBDBXP Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) and safety Dax Hill (23) follow a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

• Trey Hendrickson set to continue to build on a career-best season: He draws a great matchup against Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Dan Moore, who owns a 37.6 pass-blocking grade that ranks 80th among 81 qualifying offensive tackles.

• Josh Metellus' consistency remains an asset: He should be locked into IDP lineups every week and draws a positive matchup against the Detroit Lions, who have yielded 14.9 tackles per game to the position (fifth).

• Dominate your fantasy league in 2023: For up-to-date fantasy draft rankings and projections, check out PFF’s fantasy rankings tool!

Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes


With bye weeks and injuries testing the depth of fantasy football rosters, checking in on weekly rankings to find all the players to target and avoid each week becomes all the more crucial.

Check the PFF.com rankings page for any updates closer to game time.


Jump to a Position:

LB | ED | DI | S | CB

WR:CB Matchup Chart


LINEBACKER

RANK TIER NAME TEAM OPP NOTES
1 1A Roquan Smith BLT @ SF MNF
2 1A Foyesade Oluokun JAX @ TB
3 1A Fred Warner SF BLT MNF
4 1A T.J. Edwards CHI ARZ
5 1B Bobby Okereke NYG @ PHI MON
6 1B Ernest Jones LAR NO TNF
7 1B Zaire Franklin IND @ ATL
8 1B Bobby Wagner SEA @ TEN
9 1C C.J. Mosley NYJ WAS
10 1C Alex Singleton DEN NE SNF
11 1C Devin Lloyd JAX @ TB
12 1C Ivan Pace Jr. MIN DET
13 2A Lavonte David TB JAX
14 2A Tremaine Edmunds CHI ARZ
15 2A Logan Wilson CIN @ PIT SAT
16 2A Nick Bolton KC LV MON
17 2B Patrick Queen BLT @ SF MNF
18 2B Azeez Al-Shaair TEN SEA
19 2B Dre Greenlaw SF BLT MNF
20 2B E.J. Speed IND @ ATL
21 2C Elandon Roberts PIT CIN SAT
22 2C Frankie Luvu CAR GB
23 2C Terrel Bernard BUF @ LAC SAT
24 2C Alex Anzalone DET @ MIN
25 3A Quincy Williams NYJ WAS
26 3A Robert Spillane LV @ KC MON
27 3A Cody Barton WAS @ NYJ
28 3A Nate Landman ATL IND
29 3B Kenneth Murray Jr. LAC BUF SAT
30 3B Quay Walker GB @ CAR
31 3B Eric Kendricks LAC BUF SAT
32 3B Jordyn Brooks SEA @ TEN
33 3C Krys Barnes ARZ @ CHI
34 3C Denzel Perryman HST CLV
35 3C Germaine Pratt CIN @ PIT SAT
36 3C Christian Harris HST CLV
37 4A Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah CLV @ HST
38 4A Kaden Elliss ATL IND
39 4A Demario Davis NO @ LAR TNF
40 4A K.J. Britt TB JAX
41 4B Nicholas Morrow PHI NYG MON
42 4B Josey Jewell DEN NE SNF
43 4B Ja'Whaun Bentley NE @ DEN SNF
44 4B Willie Gay KC LV MON
45 4C David Long Jr. MIA DAL
46 4C Divine Deablo LV @ KC Q/MON
47 4C Zach Cunningham PHI NYG Q/MON
48 4C De'Vondre Campbell GB @ CAR
49 5A Tyrel Dodson BUF @ LAC SAT
50 5A Khaleke Hudson WAS @ NYJ WW
51 5A Micah McFadden NYG @ PHI MON
52 5A Jack Gibbens TEN SEA
53 5B Pete Werner NO @ LAR TNF
54 5B Damone Clark DAL @ MIA
55 5B Markquese Bell DAL @ MIA
56 5B Jahlani Tavai NE @ DEN SNF
57 5C Duke Riley MIA DAL
58 5C Derrick Barnes DET @ MIN
59 5C Anthony Walker Jr. CLV @ HST Q
60 5C Mykal Walker PIT CIN SAT

Nate Landman (LB28) returned to the Atlanta Falcons lineup in Week 15 and had a solid outing, with eight total tackles on 89% of the defensive snaps. Landman draws a positive matchup in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts, who are yielding the fourth-most tackles per game to the linebacker position (18.0) and have been an even friendlier matchup lately, giving up 21.7 tackles per game to the position over the past three games. Landman has been a much better tackler this season than counterpart Kaden Elliss (LB38), with Landman earning a 14.2% tackle rate (21st) while Elliss ranks just 70th in that regard (10.6%). There is some risk attached to Landman in that he may not even crack 80% of the defensive snaps, but this should be a strong enough matchup to overcome that disadvantage.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB37) has been a consistently productive IDP over the past few weeks. However, much like with Landman, there is some risk in that he will be unlikely to play an every-down role, which will limit his opportunities. Owusu-Koramoah has averaged 89% of the defensive snaps over the past four weeks, which has allowed him to produce 22 total tackles, two sacks and an interception. Owusu-Koramoah has been below average in tackle efficiency this season (12.1%), which keeps him from cracking the top 30 options this week, but he does draw an above-average matchup against the Houston Texans, who are yielding 17.2 tackles per game to the linebacker position (10th).

Khaleke Hudson (LB50) stepped into a starting role for the Washington Commanders this past week with Jamin Davis out for the year. But he, too, is unlikely to play an every-down role. Hudson just had a very productive performance in Week 15, with 14 total tackles (22% tackle rate), but his rotational role and a poor matchup make it unlikely he will repeat that stat line. Hudson faces the New York Jets, who have yielded just 14.7 tackles per game to the linebacker position (30th), a number that sits at just 13.3 tackles per game over the past three games. Hudson would best be considered only in deeper leagues this week.


EDGE DEFENDER

RANK TIER NAME TEAM OPP NOTES
1 1A T.J. Watt PIT CIN SAT
2 1A Maxx Crosby LV @ KC MON
3 1A Myles Garrett CLV @ HST
4 1A Micah Parsons DAL @ MIA
5 1B Nick Bosa SF BLT MNF
6 1B Haason Reddick PHI NYG MON
7 1B Trey Hendrickson CIN @ PIT SAT
8 1B Danielle Hunter MIN DET
9 1C Aidan Hutchinson DET @ MIN
10 1C Montez Sweat CHI ARZ
11 1C Josh Allen JAX @ TB
12 1C Khalil Mack LAC BUF SAT
13 2A Carl Granderson NO @ LAR Q/TNF
14 2A Jonathan Greenard HST CLV
15 2A Alex Highsmith PIT CIN SAT
16 2A Brian Burns CAR GB
17 2B Jermaine Johnson NYJ WAS
18 2B Josh Sweat PHI NYG MON
19 2B Bradley Chubb MIA DAL
20 2B Harold Landry III TEN SEA
21 2C Denico Autry TEN SEA
22 2C Sam Hubbard CIN @ PIT SAT
23 2C Byron Young LAR NO TNF
24 2C Rashan Gary GB @ CAR
25 3A George Karlaftis KC LV MON
26 3A Andrew Van Ginkel MIA DAL
27 3A Chase Young SF BLT MNF
28 3A Greg Rousseau BUF @ LAC SAT
29 3B Will Anderson Jr. HST CLV Q
30 3B Shaquil Barrett TB JAX
31 3B Jonathon Cooper DEN NE SNF
32 3B Preston Smith GB @ CAR
33 3C Boye Mafe SEA @ TEN
34 3C D.J. Wonnum MIN DET
35 3C Kayvon Thibodeaux NYG @ PHI MON
36 3C Tuli Tuipulotu LAC BUF SAT
37 4A Charles Omenihu KC LV MON
38 4A Odafe Oweh BLT @ SF MNF
39 4A Jadeveon Clowney BLT @ SF MNF
40 4A Leonard Floyd BUF @ LAC Q/SAT
41 4B Bryce Huff NYJ WAS
42 4B DeMarcus Lawrence DAL @ MIA
43 4B Za'Darius Smith CLV @ HST
44 4B Bud Dupree ATL IND
45 4C Michael Hoecht LAR NO TNF
46 4C Baron Browning DEN NE SNF
47 4C Samson Ebukam IND @ ATL
48 4C Deatrich Wise Jr. NE @ DEN SNF
49 5A Dayo Odeyingbo IND @ ATL
50 5A Casey Toohill WAS @ NYJ
51 5A Kwity Paye IND @ ATL
52 5A Malcolm Koonce LV @ KC MON
53 5B Brandon Graham PHI NYG MON
54 5B Travon Walker JAX @ TB
55 5B Arden Key TEN SEA
56 5B Yaya Diaby TB JAX
57 5C Mike Danna KC LV MON
58 5C Kyle Van Noy BLT @ SF MNF
59 5C Cameron Jordan NO @ LAR Q/TNF
60 5C Azeez Ojulari NYG @ PHI MON

Trey Hendrickson (ED7) surpassed his career-best sack total for a season this past week, coming up with 1.5 sacks against a very good Minnesota Vikings offensive line. Hendrickson now has 15 sacks on the year and doesn’t look ready to stop there, as he draws a great matchup against Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Dan Moore, who owns a 37.6 pass-blocking grade that ranks 80th among 81 qualifying offensive tackles. Meanwhile, Hendrickson’s 90.1 pass-rush grade is tied for the fifth-best mark at his position — a career high for him. Expect Hendrickson to be in for another dominant performance this week, making him a top-tier starting IDP option.

Kayvon Thibodeaux (ED35) has delivered a very strong 11.5 sacks on the season, mostly thanks to high-end playing time versus high-end pass-rush metrics. Thibodeaux is averaging 87% of the defensive snaps on the year but ranks tied for 63rd at his position in pass-rush grade (65.2) and is tied for 100th at his position in win rate (6.3%), which is a very concerning number when considering this week's matchup. Thibodeaux will line up on both sides of the defensive line, which will put him up against Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson — both of whom are top-20 players at their position in pass-blocking grade this season. This is coupled with the fact that Jalen Hurts has the fifth-best pressure-to-sack conversion rate (14.9%) in the league (minimum of 50% of snaps), making sacks that much harder to come by and leaving Thibodeaux as a low-end EDGE3 option this week.


INTERIOR DEFENDER

RANK TIER NAME TEAM OPP NOTES
1 1A DeForest Buckner IND @ ATL
2 1A Quinnen Williams NYJ WAS
3 1A Derrick Brown CAR GB
4 1A Christian Wilkins MIA DAL
5 1B Justin Madubuike BLT @ SF MNF
6 1B Jeffery Simmons TEN SEA Q
7 1B Aaron Donald LAR NO TNF
8 1B Cameron Heyward PIT CIN Q/SAT
9 1C Jonathan Allen WAS @ NYJ
10 1C Chris Jones KC LV MON
11 1C Dexter Lawrence NYG @ PHI MON
12 1C Jalen Carter PHI NYG MON
13 2A Javon Hargrave SF BLT Q/MNF
14 2A Zach Allen DEN NE SNF
15 2A Daron Payne WAS @ NYJ
16 2A Zach Sieler MIA DAL
17 2B Ed Oliver BUF @ LAC SAT
18 2B Kenny Clark GB @ CAR
19 2B Leonard Williams SEA @ TEN
20 2B Grover Stewart IND @ ATL
21 2C Harrison Phillips MIN DET
22 2C Vita Vea TB JAX
23 2C Christian Barmore NE @ DEN SNF
24 2C David Onyemata ATL IND Q
25 3A Calais Campbell ATL IND
26 3A Osa Odighizuwa DAL @ MIA
27 3A Dre'Mont Jones SEA @ TEN
28 3A Fletcher Cox PHI NYG MON
29 3B Maliek Collins HST CLV
30 3B Javon Kinlaw SF BLT MNF
31 3B Calijah Kancey TB JAX
32 3B Kobie Turner LAR NO TNF
33 3C Nathan Shepherd NYJ WAS
34 3C Jarran Reed SEA @ TEN
35 3C B.J. Hill CIN @ PIT SAT
36 3C Arik Armstead SF BLT Q/MNF

Jalen Carter (DT12) owns the seventh-best pass-rush grade at his position (84.9) and draws a great matchup against the New York Giants to build on his great rookie season. Carter will be working against the Giants’ interior offensive line, a trio that fails to crack even 50.0 pass-blocking grades. Tommy DeVito is likely to start at quarterback once again, only helping Carter’s case. DeVito owns the highest pressure-to-sack conversion rate (39.3%) in the league (minimum of 25% of snaps) to this point, making this a great matchup to target all of the Eagles' defensive line.


SAFETY

RANK TIER NAME TEAM OPP NOTES
1 1A Derwin James Jr. LAC BUF SAT
2 1A Antoine Winfield Jr. TB JAX
3 1A Camryn Bynum MIN DET
4 1A Josh Metellus MIN DET
5 1B Jessie Bates III ATL IND
6 1B Kyle Hamilton BLT @ SF MNF
7 1B Kyle Dugger NE @ DEN SNF
8 1B Jaquan Brisker CHI ARZ
9 1C Budda Baker ARZ @ CHI
10 1C Dax Hill CIN @ PIT SAT
11 1C Ji'Ayir Brown SF BLT MNF
12 1C Reed Blankenship PHI NYG MON
13 2A Julian Blackmon IND @ ATL
14 2A Kamren Curl WAS @ NYJ
15 2A Rayshawn Jenkins JAX @ TB
16 2A Jordan Poyer BUF @ LAC SAT
17 2B Geno Stone BLT @ SF WW/MNF
18 2B Jordan Whitehead NYJ WAS
19 2B Jalen Pitre HST CLV
20 2B Kevin Byard PHI NYG MON
21 2C Jordan Fuller LAR NO TNF
22 2C Jalen Thompson ARZ @ CHI
23 2C Xavier McKinney NYG @ PHI MON
24 2C Justin Reid KC LV MON
25 3A Vonn Bell CAR GB
26 3A Harrison Smith MIN DET
27 3A Jonathan Owens GB @ CAR
28 3A Julian Love SEA @ TEN WW
29 3B Jason Pinnock NYG @ PHI MON
30 3B Jordan Howden NO @ LAR TNF
31 3B Jevon Holland MIA DAL Q
32 3B Donovan Wilson DAL @ MIA
33 3C Marcus Epps LV @ KC MON
34 3C Tyrann Mathieu NO @ LAR TNF
35 3C Justin Simmons DEN NE SNF
36 3C John Johnson III LAR NO TNF
37 4A Jabrill Peppers NE @ DEN SNF
38 4A Kerby Joseph DET @ MIN
39 4A Jordan Battle CIN @ PIT SAT
40 4A Alohi Gilman LAC BUF SAT
41 4B Tony Adams NYJ WAS
42 4B Eddie Jackson CHI ARZ
43 4B Jimmie Ward HST CLV Q
44 4B Xavier Woods CAR GB
45 4C Kareem Jackson DEN NE SNF
46 4C Ronnie Hickman Jr. CLV @ HST WW
47 4C Amani Hooker TEN SEA
48 4C Tashaun Gipson Sr. SF BLT MNF
49 5A Brian Branch DET @ MIN
50 5A Micah Hyde BUF @ LAC Q/SAT
51 5A Andre Cisco JAX @ TB Q
52 5A Jayron Kearse DAL @ MIA
53 5B Trenton Thompson PIT CIN WW/Q/SAT
54 5B DeShon Elliott MIA DAL Q
55 5B Tre'von Moehrig LV @ KC MON
56 5B DeMarcco Hellams ATL IND
57 5C Mike Edwards KC LV MON
58 5C K'Von Wallace TEN SEA
59 5C Percy Butler WAS @ NYJ
60 5C Quandre Diggs SEA @ TEN

Josh Metellus (S4) has been one of the most consistent and effective IDP safeties in 2023, as he lines up all around the line of scrimmage and can deliver tackles and big plays at a very strong rate. Metellus is playing 100% of the team’s defensive snaps, lining up primarily in the slot, the box and the defensive line, while hardly ever playing deep safety, making him the ideal IDP archetype to target. Metellus is well on track to hit 100-plus total tackles on the season (currently at 93) and has added 2.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and an interception. He should be locked into IDP lineups every week and even draws a positive matchup against the Detroit Lions, who have yielded 14.9 tackles per game to the position (fifth).

Kamren Curl (S14) falls outside of the top-12 safety range this week for the first time this season. Curl has been a top-10 IDP safety for the year and is getting excellent alignments to deliver consistent production. However, this week’s matchup against the New York Jets is far from ideal for IDP safeties, as the Jets have yielded the fewest tackles per game to the position (10.1). Curl does lead the Commanders in total tackles this season (102) but has failed to crack more than five total tackles in each of the past three games, which he had failed to do only once over the first 11 games of 2023. Curl’s alignments and overall efficiency for the year keep him in play as an IDP starter, but temper your expectations this week in a poor matchup.


CORNERBACK

RANK TIER NAME TEAM OPP NOTES
1 1A Nate Hobbs LV @ KC MON
2 1A Taron Johnson BUF @ LAC SAT
3 1A Kenny Moore II IND @ ATL
4 1A Trent McDuffie KC LV MON
5 1B DaRon Bland DAL @ MIA
6 1B L'Jarius Sneed KC LV MON
7 1B Devon Witherspoon SEA @ TEN Q
8 1B Mike Hilton CIN @ PIT SAT
9 1C Jamel Dean TB JAX
10 1C Kyler Gordon CHI ARZ
11 1C Rasul Douglas BUF @ LAC SAT
12 1C Benjamin St-Juste WAS @ NYJ
13 2A Martin Emerson Jr. CLV @ HST
14 2A Tyrique Stevenson CHI ARZ
15 2A Roger McCreary TEN SEA
16 2A Darious Williams JAX @ TB
17 2B D.J. Reed NYJ WAS
18 2B Kader Kohou MIA DAL
19 2B Kendall Fuller WAS @ NYJ
20 2B Deommodore Lenoir SF BLT Q/MNF
21 2C Alontae Taylor NO @ LAR TNF
22 2C Carrington Valentine GB @ CAR
23 2C Jerry Jacobs DET @ MIN Q
24 2C Charvarius Ward SF BLT MNF
25 3A Derion Kendrick LAR NO TNF
26 3A Brandon Stephens BLT @ SF MNF
27 3A Marlon Humphrey BLT @ SF MNF
28 3A Chidobe Awuzie CIN @ PIT SAT
29 3B Byron Murphy Jr. MIN DET
30 3B Denzel Ward CLV @ HST
31 3B Paulson Adebo NO @ LAR TNF
32 3B Ahkello Witherspoon LAR NO TNF
33 3C Carlton Davis III TB JAX
34 3C Darius Slay PHI NYG Q/MON
35 3C Sean Murphy-Bunting TEN SEA Q
36 3C James Bradberry PHI NYG MON
37 4A Fabian Moreau DEN NE SNF
38 4A Jalen Ramsey MIA DAL
39 4A Patrick Peterson PIT CIN SAT
40 4A DJ Turner II CIN @ PIT SAT
41 4B Joey Porter Jr. PIT CIN SAT
42 4B Steven Nelson HST CLV
43 4B Greg Newsome II CLV @ HST
44 4B Ja'Quan McMillian DEN NE SNF
45 4C Jaire Alexander GB @ CAR Q
46 4C A.J. Terrell ATL IND
47 4C Stephon Gilmore DAL @ MIA
48 4C Cameron Sutton DET @ MIN

Nate Hobbs (CB1) has been quiet over the past two weeks, partly due to the blowout Thursday Night Football game last week that didn’t allow him to play the full game, but has been an every-down player for the Las Vegas Raiders in every other week, for the most part. Hobbs has also been the most efficient tackler among cornerbacks (minimum of 50% of snaps) this season, at 10.1%, and should be in for a bounce-back effort in Week 16. Hobbs faces the Kansas City Chiefs, who are yielding the sixth-most tackles per game to cornerbacks (13.9) this season, giving him plenty of opportunities to get his production back on track for frustrated IDP managers.

Jamel Dean (CB8) stands out as a strong streaming cornerback option this week going up against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have yielded the second-most tackles per game to cornerbacks this year (14.9). Dean has been one of the most efficient tacklers at his position (9.6%), not too far from Hobbs, and should get a chance to deliver again this week in a favorable matchup.


KEY

  • DNP: Did not participate in team's most recent practice due to injury
  • LP: Limited participation in team's most recent practice due to injury
  • D: Player is doubtful to play due to injury
  • Q: Player is questionable to play due to injury
  • TNF: Player is playing on Thursday Night Football. Set lineups accordingly.
  • SAT: Player is playing on Saturday. Set lineups accordingly.
  • SNF: Player is playing on Sunday Night Football. Set lineups accordingly.
  • MON: Player is playing earlier on Monday. Set lineups accordingly.
  • MNF: Player is playing on Monday Night Football. Set lineups accordingly.
  • UK: Player is playing on Sunday morning’s London game. Set lineups accordingly.
  • WW: Potential waiver-wire target (see Weekly IDP Fantasy Report).
Subscriptions

Unlock the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit, with League Sync, Live Draft Assistant, PFF Grades & Data Platform that powers all 32 Pro Teams

$31 Draft Kit Fee + $8.99/mo
OR
$89.88/yr + FREE Draft Kit